The RW to go: With a new, lighter midsole and a sportier aesthetic, the limited-edition Mach Supersonic combines the best of Mach 4 and Mach 5.
- Responsive Profly+ foam provides adequate cushioning
- Early stage metarocker encourages a smooth ride
- Hoka dresses the breathable mesh upper with a heel tab
Type: Road
Price: $150
Lester: 8.3 ounces (M), 6.9 ounces (W)
Drop: 5 millimeters
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When you pull out a shoe that’s been a huge hit with runners (and won a The runner’s world Equipment of the Year Award), the obvious next step is to go sonic or supersonic. This offshoot of the iconic Mach 4 is all about picking up the pace.
The new Profly+ midsole is the Mach Supersonic’s special sauce; it offers a generous cushioning bed and provides a propulsive ride. The shoe is about the same weight as the Mach 4. Side-by-side, however, the Supersonic looks downright sportier. The breathable jacquard upper ventilates your foot, and the contoured heel collar and padded tongue lock your foot in.
A minor complaint we had with the Mach 4 was the need for an actual heel tab to make it easier. The Supersonic has the same streamlined fit, but a sizable tab across the entire heel makes it easier to slide into the shoe. Another major improvement is the length of the lace; the Mach 4’s switchbacks were comically long, causing some testers to triple or replace them.
The shoe runs large lengthwise, you may want to size down. Still, testers who raced in the Mach 4 were not disappointed with its successor.
“The Supersonic is the crème de la crème of road shoes,” said one. “This shoe is for all races. For the first time ever, I can’t suggest anything, however insignificant or minor, that I don’t like about this shoe.
High praise for the forerunner of the Mach 5 (now available), although I admit it, I would have liked a bit more foam in the midsole. Still, if the Mach 4 and Rincon 3 had a child, it would be this super-powered explosive speedster.
More tester comments
Alex P | Tester since 2021
Arch: medium | Gait: neutral | Kick: Midfoot
“Overall, I enjoyed these shoes! They grew on me the more I wore them. At first, I was surprised by how firm and flat they were. I had a preconception that the Hokas were bulky and squishy – it was neither. It was a nice change of pace from the daily training I’m used to. I tested the Mach Supersonic as a daily trainer, training shoe. training and long running shoe My paces ranged from 5:00/mile to 7:00/mile My long runs went well but I was starting to feel my knees and feet towards the end probably due to firmness and stiffness neutral nature of the shoes. When I trained in them, I had no trouble turning my legs to descend at 5:00/mile. However, the longer the workout and the higher the reps, the more my body felt tired.These shoes suited me better as a daily trainer for just running around. laugh the kilometers every day, without crushing the rhythm.
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